Renault Dauphine Technical specifications

Brand: Renault
Model: Dauphine
Type: Cars

Manufacturing of Renault Dauphine

Since: 1956
Until: 1968

Dimensions de Renault Dauphine

Length: 3945 mm.
Width: 1520 mm.
Height: 1440 mm.
Wheelbase: 2270 mm.

Doors: 4

Renault Dauphine: history and specs

The Renault Dauphine was a popular rear-engined economy car produced by the French manufacturer Renault between 1956 and 1967. It was designed as the successor to the successful Renault 4CV and marketed as a small family car.

History and features:

Launch: The Dauphine was unveiled at the 1956 Paris Motor Show and was an immediate success due to its affordability and practicality.

Design: Its design was modern for the time, with a sleek, rounded body and a distinctive rear-engine layout.

Engine: The Dauphine was powered by a rear-mounted, water-cooled, 845cc inline four-cylinder engine that produced around 32 hp.

Transmission: It typically came with a 3-speed manual transmission, although a 4-speed manual was available on later models.

Interior: The interior was relatively spacious for its size, comfortably seating four passengers.

Market success: The Dauphine was a success in Europe, North America, and other markets. It was especially popular in the United States, where it became the best-selling imported car in the early 1960s.

Legacy:

Racing heritage: The Dauphine also had a racing variant called the Renault Dauphine Gordini, developed by the famous French tuner Amédée Gordini. These models participated in several competitions with some success.

Variants: Throughout its production run, the Dauphine had several variants, including the sportier Ondine and the more luxurious Caravelle convertible (also known as the Floride).

Influence: The Renault Dauphine is often credited with popularizing the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout in affordable cars. It paved the way for future Renault models like the Renault 8 and Renault 10.

Criticisms and Problems:

Rust: A common problem with the Dauphine, as with many cars of its era, was rust. Many examples did not survive due to severe rust problems, especially in areas prone to corrosion.

Performance: Although adequate for its time, the Dauphine's performance was not particularly impressive by modern standards. Its small engine and modest power made it more suitable for city driving than highway driving.

Handling: The rear-engine layout could also make the car difficult to handle for inexperienced drivers, especially in wet or slippery conditions.

Despite its quirks and limitations, the Renault Dauphine remains an iconic car of the 1950s and 60s, remembered for its charming design and its role in making affordable car ownership accessible to many families around the world.